Startup studio Pioneer Square Labs raises $20M, bets on generative AI

Google will pay Washington state nearly $40 million after a lawsuit by Attorney General Bob Gerguson accused the tech giant of deceptive practices related to its location tracking. The suit accused Google of misleading consumers who thought they had turned off “location history.” Read more.  

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday indicted the former CFO of Seattle startup Fabric for wire fraud. Nevin Shetty allegedly diverted around $35 million in company funds to a crypto business he controlled. Read more.  

Startup fundings:

• Groopit raises $3.5 million: The Seattle employee data crowdsourcing startup is fueling its go-to-market strategy and plans to develop generative AI tools.

• OncoResponse raises $27 million: The Seattle biotech company is advancing development and testing of its antibody-based immunotherapy treatments that fight cancer.

GeekWire Awards FAQ: Tonight’s the night for our annual event celebrating the top innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists and educators in the Pacific Northwest. Get all the details.

Seattle’s Allen Institute for Cell Science is sending stem cells from its collection into space for the first time on a private mission to the International Space Station. NASA-funded experiments are expected to break new ground when it comes to growing the cells in space. Read more.

Can climate change be funny? Bill Nye gave it his best shot during a stage performance in Seattle in which he married his “Science Guy” comedic touch with the weighty topic of our warming world. Read more.

Game review: “Firmament,” a difficult puzzle-adventure game from the makers of “Myst,” is a beautiful throwback to the 1990s. Read more.

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